Gonzalez has been the subject of trade talk all offseason by the A's, who on Dec. 9 traded fellow top-tier starter Trevor Cahill to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 26-year-old Gonzalez, a first-round draft pick taken 38th overall by the Chicago White Sox in 2004, confirmed the trade to The Associated Press on Thursday. He went 16-12 last season — a career high for wins after getting 15 victories in 2010 — with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts and was selected to his first All-Star game. He reached 200 innings the past two seasons.

"I love Oakland and appreciate them because they gave me a chance," Gonzalez said.

The A's reportedly will receive four players in the swap, including three top prospects: right-handers A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock, lefty Tom Milone and catcher Derek Norris.